Regulated deficit irrigation in almonds: effects of variations in applied water and stress timing on yield and yield components

Using the Pressure Chamber for Irrigation Management in Walnut, Almond and Prune

“…Under RDI, kernel weight was slightly less and kernel shrivel was slightly higher, while irrigation water was reduced between 10 and 15 percent each season. Previous experiments with RDI in California showed similar results when RDI was employed (Prichard et al 1994 and1996;Goldhamer et al 2006). …”

Response of Table Grape to Irrigation Water in the Aconcagua Valley, Chile

“…In some fruit crops, this technique has produced better results than RDI in terms of crop production and water saving [15]. There is sufficient evidence that supplying the full ETc requirements to tree crops and vines may not be necessary in many situations [16].…”

Regulated deficit irrigation reduces water use of almonds without affecting yield

“…In addition, Teviotdale et al (2001) reported that both hull split and nut harvestability are improved and hull rot is reduced when regulated deficit irrigation is imposed during the hull-split period. Other stages of almond growth and development have shown greater susceptibility to negative impacts on tree growth and nut production (Goldhamer et al 2006). Crop stress is also difficult to impose from leaf-out through midMay due to rainfall, lower ET c rates and generally sufficient soil moisture.…”

“…Previous studies in almonds and other crops have shown the beneficial effects of regulated deficit irrigation, including control of excessive vegetative growth, reduced hull rot and improved hull split in almonds (Goldhamer et al 2006;Teviotdale et al 2001;Shackel et al 2003), increased fruit density in prunes and pears (Lampinen et al 1995;Marsal et al 2002) and reduced vegetative growth in peaches (Chalmers et al 1986).…”